AIDS AND THE ELDERLY Introduction The purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the problem of HIV/AIDS in older and elderly populations. To this end, the paper first provides a description of the prevalence, symptoms and characteristics of the disease in older groups. This is followed by a delineation of the history of the transmission of the disease in older groups with consideration of factors that have lead to the current increase in HIV/AIDS in older populations.

The paper then goes on to examine the kinds of psychosocial and medical treatment provided to older and elderly AIDS patients. The review ends with a formulation of a series of conclusions about the disease in older groups and a series of recommendations as to how to improve the quality of HIV/AIDS care for this population.

HIV/AIDS In Older People:Prevalence Symptoms and Characteristics

Prevalence. Although the HIV virus is commonly associated with young adults, geriatric AIDS has increased from an incidence of 6.9 percent in 1981 to almost 11 percent in 1995 with homosexual and bisexual males representing the largest caseload (Whipple & Scura, 1996). According to projections, the transmission of HIV among heterosexuals older than 50 (Whipple & Scura, 1996).

Moreover, Whipple and Scura (1996) report that the total number of older persons infected with HIV are expected to continue to increase because they (1) express themselves sexually, (2) may be or may have been iv drug users, (3) may have receiv

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omedical Research. There is also a good deal of biomedical research into HIV-infection in older groups. For example, Gonzalez, Olaya, Eiros, Arias, Gonzalez and Del Pozo (1995) investigated for the presence of Type 1 HIV infection in patients over 60 years old, all of whom were diagnosed between 19851993 at an Infectious Disease Unit of a General Hospital in Spain. Findings were said to show that heterosexual contacts and hemoderivative products were the most common methods of transmission. It was reported that among infection markers, beta2-microglobulin was continuously elevated and p24 antigenemia was detected in two patients. In a comprehensive study, Crisologo, Campbell and Forte (1996) reviewed the empirical research on the biological effects of AIDS on the older population and then discussed the ramifications of AIDS for the personal and social functioning of older adults. According to the authors, existing biological research definitively shows that as the body ages, the function of the immune system declines, placing older adults in special jeopardy of AIDS. Unfortunately, the authors note that most health practitioners tend to consider HIV testing late in the course of the infection for older adults, exacerbati

Category: Medical - A